World Cup stars to watch: The legends

The World Cup, beginning Thursday afternoon, features the biggest names in global soccer, including two — Lionel Messi of Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo — who are considered among the greatest to ever step on a field.

The World Cup, beginning Thursday afternoon, features the biggest names in global soccer, including two — Lionel Messi of Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo — who are considered among the greatest to ever step on a field.

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Before the matches kick off, let’s preview the players who are expected to have the largest impacts for their countries. First up are the legends, players who have competed at the highest levels for years and figure to do the same again in the coming weeks.

Messi is arguably the best player to ever compete. He has won the Ballon d’Or award a record eight times, claimed 10 Spanish championships and four European Champions League titles and scored 672 goals for Barcelona — the most for a single club ever. Internationally, he was instrumental in leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup and paces the country with 116 career goals scored. In the final against France, Messi scored the opening goal on a penalty kick and added another in extra time to propel Argentina to victory.